OUR DAILY BREAD TODAY | TUESDAY 25 OCTOBER 2022
OUR DAILY BREAD (ODB ) TODAY | TUESDAY 25 OCTOBER 2022
Our Daily Bread Devotional 25 OCTOBER 2022
OUR DAILY BREAD DEVOTIONAL
Topic: CHOOSE WISELY
ODB (OUR DAILY BREAD DEVOTIONAL) KEY SCRIPTURE:
Bible in a Year: Song of Songs 6–8; Galatians 4
Memory Verse: Mark 8:36
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
Today’s Scripture & Insight: Mark 8:34–38
Jesus’ words in Mark 8 come in the context of a situation in which He first praised Peter and then rebuked him. In Mark, we read how Peter recognized Jesus as “the Messiah” (8:29). Matthew’s gospel includes more details: Christ praised Peter for this confession (Matthew 16:17–19). Mark then tells us how Jesus explained that the Messiah would be killed (Mark 8:31).
For this, “Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him” (v. 32). Christ’s response was strong: “Get behind me, Satan! . . . You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” (v. 33). This is the context in which Jesus makes His well-known statement: “Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it” (v. 35). Jesus led by example, giving up His life for our benefit and His Father’s glory.
OUR DAILY BREAD DEVOTIONAL
We all face difficult decisions at times—decisions that cause us to evaluate what matters most to us in life, because one option comes at the expense of the other. Jesus aimed to communicate this truth to His disciples and a crowd of onlookers regarding life’s most important decision—to follow Him. To be a disciple, He said, would require them to “deny themselves” in order to walk with Him (Mark 8:34). They might have been tempted to spare themselves the sacrifices required of following Christ and instead seek their own desires, but He reminded them it would come at the price of that which matters much more.
Also Read, Open Heavens For 25 OCT 2022
We’re often tempted to pursue things that seem of great value, yet they distract us from following Jesus. Let’s ask God to guide us in the choices we face each day so we’ll choose wisely and honor Him.
Reflect & Pray
What choices have you made that drew you away from Jesus? What choices have drawn you nearer?
Jesus, I want to walk with You. Please help me to recognize and choose the paths that will foster a deeper connection to You.
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